MIPAS - An Envisat instrument for atmospheric chemistry and climate research

MIPAS, the Micelson Interferometer for Passive Atmospheric Sounding, is a h igh-resolution Fourier-transform spectrometer designed to measure concentra tion profiles of atmospheric constituents on a global scale. It will observ e the atmospheric emissions from the Earth's horizon (limb) throughout the mid-infrared region, which will allow the simultaneous measurement of more than 20 atmospheric trace gases, including the oxides of nitrogen and sever al chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). Of these, the five major species, as well as pressure and temperature profiles, will be routinely retrieved by the ESA ground segment. These MIPAS data will provide global data coverage, includi ng in particular the polar regions, where the stratospheric chemistry is cu rrently exhibiting some alarming changes.